Johnny Depp to Play Detective Who Investigated The Notorious B.I.G.'s Murder

After playing a string of memorable real-life characters from the world of crime and punishment, including Donnie Brasco and James “Whitey” Bulger in the film Black Mass, Johnny Depp will be taking on the role of Russell Poole, the detective who investigated the murder of the Notorious B.I.G.

According to Screen Daily, the movie will be called Labyrinth and production will begin later on this year.

Of course, Poole — who passed away in August 2015 — became well-known within hip-hop circles after appearing on VH1’s Behind The Music in July 2001. In that particular episode, he claimed that the Brooklyn rapper’s death involved a massive cover-up, and he maintained that theory until he died.

In fact, the late detective said that officers from the LAPD were involved, and they worked for Suge Knight and his record label Death Row Records at the time. Eventually, Poole left the LAPD for not being allowed to follow-up on certain leads he had and decided to become a private investigator.

“I think I was getting too close to the truth,” he told CNN in 2011. “I think they feared the truth would be a scandal.”

In regards to Labyrinth, the film will be based off the 2002 book of the same name, and it’ll be directed by Brad Furman, who also directed The Infiltrator starring Bryan Cranston.

As most probably know, the Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down on March 9, 1997 in Los Angeles, and to this day no arrests have been made.